Pavement Whispers: Volume 237 August 27

From news of new ramen joints to escape-room-meets-cocktail-bar hybrids, The Weekend Edition is always on the search for the latest news in Brisbane, dedicated to ensuring its readers are in the know. When we put our ears to the pavement this week, this is what we found out …

Niku Ramen
Although we’re still struggling to wrap our heads around the fact that it’s nearly September, the passing of time means we’re getting closer to some juicy new openings. Toombul Shopping Centre’s anticipated dining and entertainment precinct UPSTAIRS is slated to deliver a swag of delicious concepts before 2019 wraps up. Another forthcoming concept has been announced for the extension, following on from confirmed tenants Dapple + Waver and Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq. Niku Ramen will be joining the ranks of eateries at UPSTAIRS when it launches at the end of the year, bringing with it a host of traditional Japanese items. We’re hearing word of not only ramen, but also a selection of rice dishes, stir-fried udon, pan-fried gyoza and plenty of sides. Lovers of a good nood are encouraged to keep tabs on this one! Rest assured we’ll have a closer look once Niku Ramen, and UPSTAIRS as a whole, opens in a few months time.

Arcadium Adventures
There’s no better way to test the mettle of your friendship group or colleagues than by tackling an escape room. These interactive puzzle experiences have taken Brisbane by storm over the past few years, and Spring Hill will soon boast an escape-room-meets-underground-bar of its own when Arcadium Adventures opens this spring. The concept comes from the minds behind Melbourne’s popular Trapt Bar & Escape Rooms, and will deliver a similar array of puzzle-solving activities to the heritage Espie Dods House on Wickham Terrace. Arcadium Adventures will offer various immersive 50-minute escape room experiences across two unique spaces (a third will be unveiled in 2020) that can be played alone or in a group, with a unifying story tying each experience together. The underground bar will seat 40 and serve a selection of cocktails inspired by the Arcadium experience, as well as locally brewed beers, spirits and more.

Rico Bar & Dining
In case you missed the announcement last week, Eagle Street Pier has revealed plans for the storied space recently vacated by riverside fine diner Aria. The tenancy will soon house Rico Bar & Dining – a multi-faceted eatery from the crew behind George’s Paragon Seafood Restaurant and Massimo Restaurant & Bar. Rico (translated from Spanish to mean ‘delicious’) will reportedly offer a modern, vibrant and affordable experience for diners, with a menu featuring the likes of freshly shucked oysters, delicious chargrilled meats and seafood, as well as an a la carte service, banquet feasts and tapas menu catering for all hunger levels. Get more details here.

Saint Peter x Gerard’s BistroOne of Brisbane’s best restaurants will host one of Australia’s best chefs when Josh Niland of Sydney’s famed restaurant Saint Peter makes his way north for a special one-off dinner at Gerard’s Bistro. Venturing up to celebrate the release of his first cookbook, The Whole Fish Cookbook, Josh will be taking over Gerard’s on Thursday September 19, reuniting with old buddy Adam Wolfers (the duo worked together at Sydney institution est.) to deliver a ten-course feast that showcases an array of sublime seafood and vegetable dishes. Although menu specifics are being kept hush-hush for now, we can expect Josh to incorporate some of his renowned boundary-pushing techniques and Adam’s own knack for plating up worldly flavours. Tickets are available here, and include a copy of The Whole Fish Cookbook. Wine pairings will also be availble for those after a comprehensive dining and drinking experience.

Northey Street City Farm’s 25th Birthday
The leafy oasis that is Windsor’s community-based urban permaculture farm Northey Street City Farm has long been a hub of learning, from organic essentials to core farming principles. After 25 years of operation, the team is celebrating its birthday with a shindig – and you’re invited! On Saturday September 14, the Northey Street City Farm team will be serving guests a drop-down dinner of vegetarian and vegan delights (with many ingredients sourced from the farm itself) while entertainment will include a retrospective of the farm’s two-and-a-half decades of work and DJs spinning tunes from 1994. Tickets are available here – guests are encouraged to wear a silver party outfit to help get in the silver-jubilee spirit!